billyjoejimbob

I hear conflicting reports about whether or not a drivers license and social security card is adequate ID for entry to Vancouver and/or Victoria via car or ferry. A friend tells me that a passport or birth certificate is necessary. What's the true story here? If I arrive via a ferry, when do they check ID. <BR> <BR>Lastly, can anyone give me link for the ferry schedule from Port Angeles to Victoria. Thanks for the info.

gary

Well billyjoejimbob, with a name like that I'd say you'll need at least 5 pieces of picture ID to confirm you're for real. But for most people with normal names one picture ID and one proof of citizenship, (a birth certificate is fine if it shows that you were born in the country you're a citizen of). However if you have a passport that's the ultimate. <BR> <BR>I don't have the ferry schedule from Port Angeles but I do know that in the busy season the ship makes two crossings a day from Port Angeles wit the first being around 8:30-9 Am and the second being around 1-2 PM.

traveller

It certainly depends, OP, on what country you are a citizen of. If a US citizen, it is unlikely that you will get asked for much other than what country you are a citizen of. We cross from Alberta to Montana frequently and our friends (US citizens) cross into Alberta and I cannot remember the last time that I was even asked for ID. This doesn't mean that you won't get asked and a birth certificate is a good thing to have. But the border between the USA/Canada for citizens of those countries is pretty open.

April

http://www.northolympic.com/coho/

Bob Brown

The de jure requirements for documentation vary from nothing to quite a bit depending on how and where you enter Canada, or re-enter the USA. <BR> <BR>I have crossed by car quite a few times in both directions, and only once have I had a US border official quiz me because I was an American driving a Canadian rental car. <BR> <BR>If you are an airplane passenger, the rules change. The last time I flew to Canada, I made my life easier by taking my passport. <BR> <BR>If you do not have a passport, the easiest thing to do is take along your birth certificate and a picture id. <BR>That way you meet the standard. <BR>But, as I said, there have been many a time all I did was speak with the border official. <BR> <BR>Just don't smart off to them about guns, tobacco, and liquor. The only time I ever saw a vehicle searched was at the Chief Mountain station between Waterton and the east side of Glacier NP. <BR>We were entering Canada and the driver of this "flower child" van in front of me made a series of smart remarks when asked the usual questions. The officials decided to pull him over for a thorough inspection, with included opening suitcases and removing the seats and the spare tire. As we drove on after the normal questions, I could see in my rear view mirror that the insides of the van were rapidly becoming the outsides. The Canadian officials are usually very professional, courteous and relatively easy going. But don't rile them up. They have the authority to make your life miserable should they decide to do so. <BR>

traveller

Bob, as usual you have GREAT

traveller

TO CONTINUE - sorry, I hit the enter key by mistake. <BR> <BR>Anyway, Bob has great advice. Answer what they ask you. Don't volunteer anything. BE HONEST, border guards are trained to "sniff" out anyone who lies and they are pretty good at it. If you have nothing to hide, they generally know it and just pass you through. <BR> <BR>Sometimes there is a search going on because a tip has been received at the border about various things (usually drugs). We have never been detained in these searches because we have never had a thing to hide. <BR> <BR>The truth is, just be honest. You are an American citizen visiting Canada for a vacation for a certain # of days. No more, no less. I doubt you will have any problem.

Anothe Traveller

My advice is to bring your passport. Why not if you already have one. It really depends on the INS officer at the border. I drove thru the border a few time, there was once I was asked to see my passport.

Bob Brown

I should have said the de facto requirements for documentation to enter Canada and return to the USA vary from nothing to quite a bit. <BR>De jure, American citizens are not reqired to have a passport, but my experience indicates that if you fly, your passport makes life easier. <BR> <BR>A friend of mine, who is an MD, flew into Vancouver to attend a medical conference. <BR>Returning, she got the 3rd degree from the US immigration official. She did not have her passport. As I recall she had only her voter registration card and a driver's license. I don't know if the fact that her father is a Navajo had any bearing on the attitude of the official or not. <BR>I returned once by air from Calgary, where I visited US customs and immigration authorities before boarding. Despite the fact that I had my official birth certificate and two photo IDs, I was asked quite a few questions. <BR>